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Punalu`u and Waiaha Soil Series. This soil series is characterized by well- <br /> drainage, thin organic soils overlying pahoehoe lava bedrock. The surface layer <br /> would have been eight (8) inch thick very dark brown muck shallow soil with <br /> frequent pahoehoe outcrops. That type of soil type would have been rapidly <br /> permeable, where the runoff is medium and erosion hazard slight. <br /> The State Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Lands oflfnportance to the <br /> State of Hawai'i (ALISH) maps do not offer any rating for this area. <br /> B. Elevation <br /> The elevation at the Ali'i Drive is about 34 feet, and heading makai, the slope <br /> abruptly drops to about 18-24 feet midway and to about 13 feet at Kahakai Road. <br /> The topography of the site thus varies considerably, which dictated the design of <br /> the building with its subterranean parking. <br /> C. Climate <br /> Being on the leeward side of the island, the project site is generally sunny in the <br /> mornings with occasional afternoon clouds. The rainy season is usually during <br /> the summer, with wetter periods from November to January. The average annual <br /> rainfall is approximately 20 inches, with pan evaporation estimated at 55 inches <br /> per year. <br /> D. Natural and Coastal Hazards <br /> The Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) designates this area Zone X, areas <br /> determined to be outside the 500-year flood plain. <br /> It should be noted, however, that the site falls within the Civil Defense Tsunami <br /> Evacuation zone. The shoreline is less than 300 feet from the lower portion of <br /> the subject site. <br /> The US Geological Survey(USGS) classifies the area as Lava Flow Hazard Zone <br /> 4, on a scale of ascending risk 9 to 1. By way of reference, the City of Hilo is <br /> located within Zone 3, while the lower Puna area ranges between Zones 1 and 2. <br /> The Building Code designates the entire island of Hawaii in Earthquake Zone 4 <br /> and contains certain structural requirements to address the relative seismic <br /> hazards. <br /> E. Flora and Fauna Implications <br /> As the site has been fully improved, there is very little vegetation on the site, <br /> although there is evidence of introduced vegetation such as the Monkey Pod tree, <br /> bougainvillea, and coconut trees. Likewise, as the site falls within a built-up <br /> 9 <br />